Regulation and Signaling of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) in Patients With Stable and Unstable Coronary Artery Disease

Regulation and Signaling of RBC-eNOS in Patients With Stable and Unstable Coronary Artery Disease

The aim of this study is measurement of expression and activity of RBC eNOS in different clinical cohorts of patients with coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome and to investigate the importance of the NO-stimulated reaction cascade in terms of sGC and PKG.

Inclusion Criteria:

• informed consent
• for ACS(acute coronary syndrome)-Group: angiographic coronary artery disease; acute coronary syndrome, defined by EITHER unstable angina pectoris with significant coronary stenosis (troponin negative, without significant ST-elevation) OR low-risk NSTEMI (Troponin positive, without significant ST-elevation)
• for stable CAD-Group: angiographic coronary artery disease; no acute coronary syndrome within the last 3 months
• healthy control group: No clinical or angiographical signs of apparent atherosclerosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute inflammation (CRP > 1 mg/dl, leukocyte > 11.000/µl)
• malignant diseases
• pregnancy
• medication with NO-donors ( e.g.isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, glyceryl trinitrate, Molsidomin, Ranexa)
• patients with STEMI or high-risk NSTEMI